The Washington critic., 1887-01-20
The Banquet Of the Columbia Dsme-
cratic Club.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC REUNION
Speeches and sentiments-The Quests
who were Present.

ing. Between the two large crystal
chandeliers hung the silken banner of
the club, with It's motto, "Justitla
Omnibus" and on the east wall Of the
dining.room was mammoth blue silk
streamer, inscribed in large gold letters
Columbia Democratic Club" Amer.
lean flags Of silk were crossed over the
door through which the guests entered,
and In their centre was an excellent
likeness of President Cleveland, exc
cuted by Mr.. Charles Armor Of this
city. The arrangement of the tables
was In the shape of gigantic &C.
President Lawrence Gardner having
position between the ends, while Vice.
President A. ST. Clair Denver sat at the
curve of the letter.
Invitations had been extended to the
members of the Cabinet and number
of distinguished gentlemen, but prior
engagements prevented their attend.
ance, and bulky bundle of letters was
designated by Toastmaster Moore as
his club of intimidation. 1t was o
guests were seated, and around the
tables were Representatives Curtin,
Tafsney and Cox of North Carolina,
Civil Service Commissioner Oberly,
General John G. Black, Commissioner
of Pensions; Doprkeeper Donelson of
the House of Representatives, Post.
master Lycurgus Dalton, General John
$. Newberry, president of the cele.
brated Iroquois Club of Chicago; Com
missioner Colman, Mayor d. Il. Francis
of Saint Louis, Captain Harrington of
the Marine Corps, Colonel John G..
Prather of Saint Louis. p. V. De Graw,
ii. L. West, T. G. Crawford, and the
following members of the club:
J.. Gardner, president; II. II. Barker, secre.
Ball, William II. Clagctt, o, o. Stealy, Samuel
Donelson, II. l.. Drlscoll, Washington Nailor,
i. II King, George w. Talbert, y. A. Lambert,
Edward johnson, Thomas A. Yates, Captain
FlIiollingshead, N. q. Mccormick, James NJ.
Wheatley, d. &. Reeves, John II. Walsh, T. ID.
Kcllaher, c. W. Bennett, DR.. W. o. Baldwin,
orme, Charles A. Elliott, i, r. Berry, Tacmas
Il. Hutchins, Noble d. Lprner, Colonel Il. W.
Anderson, Thos. J Luttrell, Spencer Watkins,
Calvin witmer,.J. Heath Dodge, L: Watkins,
John +. Ennis, DR.. II. y. Leach, s. w. Wood
ward, George W. Cochran r.. W. Fenwlck,
John j. Dirkin, John, s.; Miller, Daniel V.
i Peniton; ~ L. n Nesprmyer; ] K; Rckcy; Watson Watson
j. Nota McGill, Isanc L. johnson, Frank s.
Parks, o. G. Green, James E. Waugh, stilson
llutchins.
After the menu had been discussed
President Gardner arose and addressed
the club as follows:
GENTLEMEN: In accordance with the duty
imposed upon me as president of the Colum-
ba Democratic Club of the District of Co
lnmbia, give you one and all hearty wei.
come.
take especial pleasure in welcoming the
distinguished guests Of the club this evening
We recognize In you not only friends of the
organization, but also friends and promoters
OF the interests of the District of Columbia,
and whatever of little entertainment as citi.
zens and Democrats we can give you on this
occasion we trust you will receive us an ex-
preston of our esteem.
Having said this much, might, with pro-
priety, perhaps, lapse into silence and permit
the current of your festivity to flow uninter-
ruptedly. But there are occasions when one
cannot resist the inclination to grow retro.
Democratic presence recall briefly the hon
orabe career Of the club under whose aus
pices we are gathered tonight.
Organized N 1sso, ior the express purpose
Presidential campaign, II sprang at once into
the front rank OF working political organika-
tions and won IRON The National Committee
the tribute OF unsolght but well.merited
praise. Nor was the gallant soldier, to
whose elevation TO the highest ci,i; honors IL
contributed Its labor Of love, unmindful of
though victory failed to crown Its work and
his merits with success, he treasured up in
his memory kindly recollection of its Of
forts.
In the campaign of four years later with u
more perfect organization aud buoyant with
hope, II fought The good fight with untagging
zeal and aggressive energy; and there was no
single State within the Boundary of the Re
public In which the party of the Constitution
did not TO some extent receive d and en-
couragement from this clubs contributions
n hnrs a Nat nal
state or local, wherein success was desirable
and the issue doubtful, from the date of It's
organization upto the present time, but the
club mas always responded to the call of
Ii is representative body, composed as 1t
Is of members who are Identified with the
are opposed to many abuses visited upon our
people by Republican rule. And indulgng
In the hope that IN Democratic supremacy we
would be rid Of the officers who held places
In this District who were not identified with
the interests of tn, city, and In their stead
We might have citizens who were entirely
familiar with all our wants, we were moved
You will always find the Democrats of the
District of Columbia true and loyal We ~,
rerhals, difer on tome subjects, but yo /
give reason for what we want, and on p).
tical questions that are National we are
always united and with our party.
hut | have no desire to trespass longer
NJ On your time or further delay the feast of
i6asC n and flow of soulm the occasion exacts
II tnly remains for me to again extend u
lRity welcome 10 the guests assembled and
10 the. members of the club who meet with
u en- IN social reunion, and 10 express the
hope that for many years to come we and our
successors may be able TO gather thus CON
gratulatc one another upon past party tri-
umphs, renew iealty TO the vital principle of
the old political faith, and be happy In the
assurance that these. principles coexlst with
the life and prosperity Of the Republic.
were then declared In order, and they were
responded to as follows:
The Federal Union-"Its perpetulty IL
made apparent by the devotion OF the peo.
pie Of all segtions.n lon. w. Il. Cox OF
North Carolina.
The Democratic Party-"The representa-.
tiOn OF all that honest, constitutional gov.
ernment implies.' Hon. I. L. Tarsney OF
Michigan.
The President Of he United Sta'es -
"Firm In the execution Of the law; con,
scientious In the discharge Of his duty.''
Commissioner Black.
The District of Columbia --"The Nations
pride; its future Is In the keeping of those
WI o rule It," Mr.. I. A. Lambert.
The National Legislature-''ln the enact
ment uf avs has for It's purpose the pIese
walton of al the rights of American citizen.
ship.n Hon. A. q. Curtin.
The Press-''The safeguard OF religious,
political and personal liberty.' MIR. Isaac
l.. johnson.
A telegram from Governor Hill OF New
York, regre,ting inability to be present
started a most ear-pierclng series ol
.hooraysn from several old Jacksoniin
Democrats as they proclaimed themselves
and then miscellaneous toasts We're IN
order. Undoubtedly the btsi speech of the
evening was that of Mr. Stison llutchins
of the I'Ost, who took as his theme "LocaI
seli-Goyernment,n during which he made
some very pleasant and soothing refer
ences to the President, While lie dil moi
think that colored man should DC given
an Office Of so much power aud trust Ia
the District or anywhere else, us had been
conferred on Matthews, yet he counseleJ